UPPER CHICHESTER - A Chester man has been charged with robbing the Walgreens on Naamans Creek Road last week.

John Redole Simmons, 40, of the 1200 block of Beverly Lane, was arrested Monday when he showed up at the Media Courthouse for an unrelated criminal matter.

The heist took place June 18 at the store located at 2608 Naamans Creek Road. A 17-year-old employee was working the cash register when a man, later identified as Simmons, entered the store, according to the affidavit of probable cause written by Detective John Montgomery. After walking down an aisle, the man approached the counter where the young woman was working.

The woman told police she saw the man adjusting his waistband, as if he had a weapon, according to the affidavit.

Advertisement

The would-be customer asked for three cartons of cigarettes, which the employee retrieved and placed on the counter. As she began ringing up the purchase, the man, holding his waistband, told the clerk to empty the cash register, according to the court document. The employee, fearing for her life, complied and handed over approximately $200, the court document indicates. The man left the store with the cash and cigarettes, the affidavit states.

Employees contacted police. The entire incident was captured on video.

Investigators subsequently developed Simmons as a suspect. Patrolman Edward Brinkman met with the employee Saturday and showed her a photo array. She immediately identified the photo of Simmons as the person who robbed her and a warrant was issued for his arrest, according to the affidavit.

Simmons was taken into custody Monday by Delaware County Sheriff's deputies when he showed up at the County Courthouse for an unrelated pre-trial conference. Simmons, according to court documents, is awaiting trial on drug charges.

Deputies escorted Simmons to Courtroom No. 9, where Upper Chichester and county detectives were waiting. He was taken to CID headquarters where he allegedly confessed to the Walgreens heist.

Simmons was subsequently arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Diane Holefelder on charges of robbery, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property simple assault and reckless endangerment. Holefelder set bail at 10 percent of $45,000, which Simmons did not post. He was remanded to Delaware County prison pending a preliminary hearing in Aston District Court.